A momentary silence fell. All the employees on the first floor of the Royal Tower stared, dozens of eyes fixed on Tiffany's delicate hand clutching Richard's suit. This was over. Mr. Hampton, impervious to women and an extreme clean freak, detested being touched. The audacious girl was about to face his scorching wrath and the humiliation of public ejection by security. A flicker of sympathy crossed everyone's hearts.

But instead of anger, the usually stern Richard unexpectedly took her hand and strode out of the building. News at Royal Tower exploded that day: "The ever-cold big boss is in love!"

In the car, Tiffany stared at Richard's stern face, her heart pounding. She had just predicted a severe landslide near Maple Mountain, stating it with absolute certainty. When asked for a reason, she simply replied, "I had a dream, and everything in it will come true." The excuse was likely to earn her a rebuke, but she had no better choice. Claiming past-life experience might land her in a mental institution instead of Richard's car.

Richard glanced at her tense, earnest expression. He furrowed his brow, then dialed Sidney's number—a sign of trust. Tiffany sighed in relief. However, the call went unanswered.

"He left early," Richard said. "If what you say is true, it might be too late." He patted Tiffany. "Fasten your seatbelt."

Tiffany snapped to attention and fastened her seatbelt. The car sped off.

Maple Mountain lay beyond Lovell City. Despite its distance, its picturesque landscape had led to early development plans as a vacation destination. This project, originally secured by the Hampton family, had been transferred to the Pauley family. Tiffany remembered that, before her time travel, Sidney's death had resulted in much criticism of Richard, even rumors of his involvement. Given their close relationship, Richard must have found the loss devastating.

Tiffany quietly glanced at Richard, who drove with intense focus. His cold, handsome face showed no worry, but the tense atmosphere and increasing speed spoke volumes.

"Richard, relax," Tiffany said gently. "We can make it on time. We will."

Before her time travel, the events had already transpired, seemingly unchangeable. But in this life, she was the variable.

Meanwhile, on the only road to Maple Mountain, Sidney was halfway through his drive when he encountered trouble. His sleek sports car roared along, but the bumpy mountain road proved treacherous. His car became firmly stuck. He got out, rubbing his temples in distress, only to find his phone had lost signal upon entering the forest. Torrential rain poured down.

He got back in the car. After about ten minutes, a small passenger bus approached. He flagged it down and boarded.

The driver demanded, "Two dollars per person. Pay first." Sidney, lacking change, handed over a hundred-dollar bill. His generosity and expensive attire, along with the sports car parked by the roadside, clearly marked him as wealthy. The men on the bus exchanged greedy glances.

Zoe was having a terrible day. After rescuing a classmate, she had been kidnapped and rescued by Tiffany. Back at school, she confronted the classmate, who callously replied, "You deserved it." Enraged, Zoe punched the classmate and was expelled. She pretended to go to school, wandering aimlessly. She boarded the bus to pass the time.

"How unlucky can I be?" she thought, her eyes reddening. Then she heard a gentle voice, "Can I sit here?"

"Sure," she sobbed. Looking up, she was stunned. "There's actually such a hottie in the mountains?"

Sidney endured a torturous bus ride—stuffy air, coughing, spitting, and the overwhelming odor of bare feet. After three stops, he disembarked.

As he reached the door, five burly men surrounded him, smirking. "Want to get off? Leave your money."

Sidney's leather wallet, visible when he boarded, contained many bills.

"Am I being robbed?" Sidney sneered, maintaining an air of refinement, but his words carried the arrogance of a Pauley heir. "Step aside, or you'll be beaten. Try me."

Zoe blinked, inwardly praising him. "That's kind of cool!" She quickly produced pepper spray. If these men were robbing, the other passengers were in danger too.

The robbers sneered and charged. Sidney, trained extensively, swiftly knocked them down. He kicked them away, sending them fleeing.

Suddenly, the driver slammed on the brakes. Everyone lurched forward. Zoe and Sidney reacted quickly, grabbing handrails and seats.

"What's going on?" someone shouted, his face bloodied. "Can you even drive?"

The driver sighed. "A landslide has blocked the road."

They saw rocks and mud had completely blocked the road. Zoe looked towards the mountain, her expression changing dramatically.

"Run! Run!"

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